Backpack for preventing infection from surface and skin contact

ABSTRACT

A backpack is provided which includes a sleeve housing a protector. The protector includes a top handle section, a middle padded section, and a bottom section. The middle padded section act as a protective layer between a cloth worn by a user and a seating surface. The backpack enables avoiding contamination of the clothing of the user, thereby reducing healthcare-associated infection. The invention also provides a wearable guard. The wearable guard includes a sleeve. The wearable guard is adapted to worn as a backpack or a sack thorough the sleeve, making the wearable guard comfortable to place on shoulder of the user. The wearable guard also includes a protector housed inside the sleeve. The wearable guard enables protection of the cloth worn by the user from unsanitized seats, especially encountered when taking public transportation.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of a present invention relates to means of protection from contagious diseases which spread by surface and skin contact, and more particularly to a backpack comprising protector for clothing of a user for preventing infection from the contagious diseases.

BACKGROUND

There are several contagious diseases which spread by surface and skin contact, such as COVID-19. The world is facing a pandemic of COVID-19 which has taken toll of thousands of lives across the world. It is highly contagious and transmits through human to human by way of surface contamination.

The COVID-19 transmits in the human population also by aerosol and fomites. The aerosol transmission from infected individuals to susceptible individuals is cause for a rapid spread of the virus in the population. The COVID-19 may also survive on surfaces such as tables, clothes, mobiles, metal, paper, and objects used by humans regularly in day-to-day life.

Currently, numerous sanitization techniques, sanitizers, masks, gloves, face shields, and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits are available to reduce and avoid the spread of the COVID-19. The world health organization and national health authorities have started a global campaign called “Stop the Spread” which aims to raise awareness, about the risks of the spread and misinformation around COVID-19, from the trusted sources.

However, use of sanitization techniques and sanitizers have limitations such as, continuous or overuse of alcohol-based sanitizers may cause skin irritation, cracking and bleeding from hands of a user. Also, according to germ experts hand sanitizers last only for a duration of two minutes once applied, thereby increasing risk of contamination and spread of viruses and bacteria.

Further, there are disinfectant sprays available in market which may disinfect any surface to a certain extent. However, improper spraying may leave certain areas on the surface untreated, hence risk of infection is always looming. More so, it is not user friendly since fumigation or spraying of disinfectants causes breathing discomfort in some people. More so, if a person is out and working whole day, then there is high chance that the person may run out of the disinfectant. This may leave the person vulnerable in certain situations.

Hence, there is a need for prolonged, effective and user-friendly control measure to avoid spread of the contagious microbes that spread by surface or skin contact.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a backpack is provided. The backpack includes a sleeve configured to cover a length of the backpack. The sleeve includes an opening at bottom. The backpack includes a protector housed inside the sleeve. The protector includes a top handle section connected with a pair of straps, wherein the pair of straps enables a user to retract the protector from a first location to a second location inside the sleeve. The protector also includes a middle padded section coupled to the top handle section and configured to act as a protective layer between a cloth worn by a user and a seating surface. The protector also includes a bottom section coupled to the middle padded section and protruding out of the opening of the sleeve. The bottom section is configured to act as a handle enabling the user to move the middle padded section from the second location to the first location in order to position the middle padded section over the seating surface to act as the protective layer between the cloth worn by the user and the seating surface. The backpack enables protection of the cloth worn by the user.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a wearable guard is provided. The wearable guard includes a sleeve configured to be worn as a backpack or a sack. The sleeve includes an opening at bottom of the sleeve. The sleeve also includes a first pair of straps coupled to a top portion and a bottom portion of the sleeve and configured to position the sleeve on a shoulder of a user. The wearable guard also includes a protector housed inside the sleeve. The protector includes a top handle section connected with a second pair of straps. The second pair of straps enables a user to retract the protector from a first location to a second location inside the sleeve. The protector also includes a middle padded section coupled to the top handle section and configured to act as a protective layer between a cloth worn by the user and a seating surface. The protector also includes a bottom section coupled to the middle padded section and protruding out of the opening of the sleeve. The bottom section is configured to act as a handle enabling the user to move the middle padded section from the second location to the first location in order to position the middle padded section over the seating surface to act as the protective layer between the cloth worn by the user and the seating surface. The wearable guard enables protection of the cloth worn by the user.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematic representation of front view of a backpack 100 including a protector 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates schematic representation of rear view of the backpack 100 including the protector 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates schematic representation of the protector 104 of the backpack 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates schematic representation of front view of multiple layers of the backpack 100 including the protector 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates schematic representation of rear view of the multiple layers of the backpack 100 including the protector 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates schematic representation of the backpack 100 including the protector 104 positioned on shoulder of a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates schematic representation of a wearable guard 700, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the method steps, chemical compounds, and parameters used herein may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more components, compounds, and ingredients preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other components or compounds or ingredients or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, hut not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a backpack 100 including protector 104 for clothing of a user and suitable for preventing infection from surface or skin contact. The invention also relates to a wearable guard 700 for clothing of the user for avoiding spread of the contagious microbes that spread by contact or touch. The wearable guard 700 is configured to be worn as the backpack and to protect the cloth worn by the user from coming in contact with un-sanitized seats and other surfaces, specially encountered while using public facilities and transport.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate schematic representation of front and rear views of a backpack 100, respectively, including a protector 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The backpack 100 includes a sleeve 102 configured to cover a length of the backpack 100. The length may be defined as a distance between top end to bottom end of the backpack 100. In an embodiment, the sleeve 102 is fabricated by joining two sheets of a fabric or a flexible polymer. Inner walls of the sleeve 102 form a defined space for housing, the protector 104 inside the sleeve 102. Edges of the two sheets are fused lengthwise to each other on three sides, namely top side, left side and right side, while making an opening 116 at the bottom side of the backpack 100. The edges of the two sheets may be fused lengthwise to each other using a plurality of means including, but not limited to, stitching, gluing, sewing, and like.

In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve 102 may be created with a single sheet of the fabric or the flexible polymer by folding. In such an embodiment, the single sheet is folded at middle in order to form the housing to receive the protector 104.

In yet another embodiment, the sleeve 102 may be formed by creating by space between two fabric layers of the backpack 100 itself for housing the protector 104.

In an embodiment, the sleeve 102 is detachably attached to the backpack 100 using knots, zipper, buttons, clasps, hook and loop type fasteners, buckle fasteners, and magnets or any combination thereof. In such an embodiment, the sleeve 102 is slid within a defined space between two layers of fabric layers of the backpack 100, via the opening 116, and detachably attached to the top end of backpack 100.

In an embodiment, the sleeve 102 includes similar fabric material and color as of the backpack 100. In another embodiment, the sleeve 102 includes contrast color to the backpack 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates schematic representation of the protector 104 of the backpack 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The protector 104 includes a top handle section 108 connected with a pair of straps 106. The pair of straps 106 is designed to run via or alongside a pair of shoulder straps of the backpack 100 and fall before front side shoulder of a user of the backpack 100. Therefore, the pair of straps 106 is accessible to the user for pulling with hands, thereby enabling the user to move the protector 104 from a first location to a second location inside the sleeve 102.

In an embodiment, the top handle section 108 is connected to the pair of straps 106 via a set of rollers 114 configured to enable a rolling motion during movement from the first location to the second location. The first location represents a pulled in position of the protector 104, and the second location represents a pulled out position of the protector 104. The pair of straps 106 includes one or more predefined sections of fastening means to affix the top handle section 108 to the backpack 100 at a convenient height with respect to the user. The fastening means includes at least one of a zipper, buttons, clasps, hook and loop type fasteners, buckle fasteners and magnets.

As used herein, the term ‘fastening means’ refers to a device that closes or secures something. In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of straps 106 includes buckle fasteners to fasten or affix the top handle section 108 to the backpack 100. The buckle fastener provides firm and effective grip in fastening the pair of straps 106.

In one embodiment, the set of rollers 114 may include a compression spring and a transmission system to enable a rolling motion during movement from the first location to the second location. The compression spring and the transmission system convert rotational movement of the pair of straps 106 to axial movement. As used herein the term ‘compression spring’ refers to open-coil helical springs wound or constructed to oppose compression along the axis of wind. As used herein the term ‘transmission system’ refers to gearbox that uses gears and gear trains to provide speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source to another device.

The protector 104 also includes a middle padded section 110 coupled to the top handle section 108. The middle padded section 110 is configured to act as a protective layer between a cloth worn by the user and a seating surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the middle padded section 110 is made up of self-disinfecting fabric or material. In such embodiment, the middle padded section 110 not only protects the clothing of the user but also enables killing bacteria and viruses, thereby minimizing contamination and infection. The self-disinfecting fabric or material may impregnate with hydroxyapatite-binding silver TiO₂ or quaternary ammonium salt. The hydroxyapatite-binding silver TiO₂ or quaternary ammonium salt possess significant antimicrobial activity. Hence, impregnated fabric may effectively protect the clothing of the user wearing the backpack 100 with the protector 104.

In such embodiment, the protector 104 also includes a bottom section 112 coupled to the middle padded section 110 and protruding out of the opening 116 of the sleeve 102. The bottom section 112 is configured to act as a handle enabling the user to move the middle padded section 110 from the second location to the first location in order to position the middle padded section 110 over the seating surface to act as the protective layer between the cloth worn by the user and the seating surface. Therefore, the user when it is required may pull down the protector 104 when about to sit or come in contact with any surface, where the middle padded section 110 forms an insulation between the clothes worn by the user and a surface. Further, when the user gets up or on the go may pull up the protector 104 using the pair of straps 106 inside the sleeve 102. The bottom section 112 includes a predefined weight to add a pull weight to keep the protector 104 straight, open and without of any fold in order to have a maximum coverage of the seating surface. The bottom section 112 is configured to have a thickness more than the opening 116 in order to act as a stopper thereby preventing the middle padded section 110 to be pulled in completely inside the sleeve 102 while moving the middle padded section 110 from the first location to the second location.

The protector 104 is washable for purposes of removing germs, contamination and dirt. The protector 104 is fabricated with, but is not limited to, a water-resistant material that is machine-washable and durable. The protector 104 can be made of, but is not limited to, anti-microbial, copper oxide, silver ion, zinc, vinyl, polyester, natural fibers, artificial fibers, or paper-based materials.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate schematic representation of front view and rear view, respectively, of multiple layers of the backpack 100 including the protector 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The FIG. 4 shows sequence of multiple layers in the backpack 100 and position of the protector 104 housed inside the sleeve 102 onto the backpack 100 with help of the pair of straps 106 attached to the top handle section 108 of the protector 104. In an embodiment, the backpack 100 is configured to have the multiple layers in following sequence: an outer layer, the sleeve 102, a middle layer, and an inner layer, where space between the middle layer and the inner layer forms one or more compartments of the backpack 100.

FIG. 6 illustrates schematic representation of the backpack 100 including the protector 104 positioned on shoulder of a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The backpack 100 including the protector 104 worn by the user in public places, specially while taking public transport etc. The backpack 100 may also be worn as sling bag.

FIG. 7 illustrates schematic representation of a wearable guard 700, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wearable guard includes a sleeve 202 configured to be worn as a backpack or a sack. In such embodiment, the sleeve 202 includes predefined shape and size. The predefined shape includes but not limited to rectangular, square, classic u-shape and oval.

The sleeve 202 includes an opening 204 at bottom of the sleeve 202. In an embodiment, the sleeve 202 also includes a first pair of straps 212 (not shown in FIG. 7) coupled to a top portion and a bottom portion of the sleeve 202. The first pair of straps 212 is configured to position the sleeve 202 on a shoulder of a user. The wearable guard also includes a protector 206 housed inside the sleeve 202. The protector 206 includes a top handle section 210 (not shown in FIG. 7) connected with a second pair of straps 214 (not shown in FIG. 7). The second pair of straps 214 enables a user to move the protector 206 from a first location to a second location inside the sleeve 202.

In an embodiment, the top handle section 210 is connected to the second pair of straps 214 via a set of rollers 216 (not shown in FIG. 7) configured to enable a rolling motion during movement from the first location to the second location. The first location represents a pulled in position of the protector 206, and the second location represents a pulled out position of the protector 206.

s used herein the term ‘straps’ refers to strip of leather, cloth, or other flexible material, used to fasten, secure, or carry something or to hold on to something.

The protector 206 also includes a padded portion (not shown in FIG. 7), such as middle padded section 110 of FIG. 1, coupled to the top handle section 210 and configured to act as a protective layer between a cloth worn by the user and a seating surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the padded portion includes an air permeable protective element so that it is not compressed and become uncomfortable to sit onto the padded portion of the protector 206 for the user.

The protector 206 also includes a bottom section 208 coupled to the padded portion and protruding out of the opening 204 of the sleeve 202. The bottom section 208 is configured to act as a handle enabling the user to move the padded portion from the second location to the first location in order to position the padded portion over the seating surface to act as the protective layer between the cloth worn by the user and the seating surface.

The bottom section 208 includes a predefined weight to add a pull weight to keep the protector 206 open devoid of any fold. The bottom section 208 is configured to act as a stopper thereby preventing the padded portion to be pulled in completely inside the sleeve 202 while moving the middle padded section 208 from the first location to the second location.

In an embodiment, the second pair of straps 214 includes one or more predefined sections of fastening means to affix the top handle section 210 to the sleeve 202. The fastening means includes at least one of a zipper, buttons, clasps, hook and loop type fasteners, buckle fasteners and magnets.

The protector 202 is washable for removal of contamination and dirt. The protector 202 is fabricated with, but is not limited to, a water-resistant material that is machine-washable and durable. The protector 202 can be made of, but is not limited to, anti-microbial, copper oxide, silver ion, zinc, vinyl, polyester, natural fibers, artificial fibers, or paper-based materials.

The present invention provides the backpack 100 and the wearable guard 700 which helps in preventing contamination of the clothing of the user, thereby reducing spread of contagious infections which may spread by touch or direct skin or surface contact. The the backpack 100 and the wearable guard 700 are easy to use and easy to wash while being cost effective.

While specific language has been used to describe the invention, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. 

We claim:
 1. A backpack, comprising: a sleeve configured to cover a length of the backpack, wherein the sleeve comprises an opening at bottom; and a protector housed inside the sleeve, wherein the protector comprises: a top handle section connected with a pair of straps, wherein the pair of straps enables a user to retract the protector from a first location to a second location inside the sleeve; a middle padded section coupled to the top handle section and configured to act as a protective layer between a cloth worn by a user and a seating surface, wherein the middle padded section is made up of self disinfecting fabric; and a bottom section coupled to the middle padded section and protruding out of the opening of the sleeve, wherein the bottom section is configured to act as a handle enabling the user to move the middle padded section from the second location to the first location in order to position the middle padded section over the seating surface to act as the protective layer between the cloth worn by the user and the seating surface.
 2. The backpack of the claim 1, wherein the top handle section is connected to the pair of straps via a set of rollers configured to enable a rolling motion during movement from the first location to the second location, wherein the set of rollers comprises a compression spring and a transmission system to enable a rolling motion during movement from the first location to the second location; and wherein the compression spring and the transmission system convert rotational movement of the pair of straps to axial movement.
 3. The backpack of the claim 1, wherein the first location represents a pulled out position of the protector, and the second location represents a pulled in position of the protector.
 4. The backpack of the claim 1, wherein the bottom section comprises a predefined weight to add a pull weight to keep the protector open devoid of any fold.
 5. The backpack of the claim 1, wherein the bottom section is configured to act as a stopper thereby preventing the middle padded section to be pulled in completely inside the sleeve while moving the middle padded section from the first location to the second location.
 6. The backpack of the claim 1, wherein the pair of straps comprises one or more predefined sections of fastening means to affix the top handle section to the backpack.
 7. The backpack of the claim 6, wherein the fastening means comprises at least one of a zipper, buttons, clasps, hook and loop type fasteners, buckle fasteners, and magnets.
 8. The backpack of the claim 1, wherein the sleeve is detachably attached to the backpack.
 9. The backpack of the claim 1, wherein the protector is washable for removal of contamination and dirt.
 10. The backpack of the claim 1, wherein the protector is fabricated from a subset of a set of materials comprising a self-disinfecting, water-resistant, anti-microbial, copper oxide, silver ion, zinc, vinyl, polyester, natural fibers, artificial fibers, and paperbased materials.
 11. A wearable guard, comprising: a sleeve configured to be worn as one of a backpack and a sack, wherein the sleeve comprises: an opening at bottom of the sleeve; a first pair of straps coupled to a top portion and a bottom portion of the sleeve and configured to position the sleeve on a shoulder of a user; and a protector housed inside the sleeve, wherein the protector comprises: a top handle section connected with a second pair of straps, wherein the second pair of straps enables a user to retract the protector from a first location to a second location inside the sleeve; a middle padded section coupled to the top handle section and configured to act as a protective layer between a cloth worn by the user and a seating surface, wherein the middle padded section is made up of self disinfecting fabric; and a bottom section coupled to the middle padded section and protruding out of the opening of the sleeve, wherein the bottom section is configured to act as a handle enabling the user to move the middle padded section from the second location to the first location in order to position the middle padded section over the seating surface to act as the protective layer between the cloth worn by the user and the seating surface.
 12. The wearable guard of the claim 11, wherein the top handle section is connected to the second pair of straps via a set of rollers configured to enable a rolling motion during movement from the first location to the second location, wherein the set of rollers comprises a compression spring and a transmission system to enable a rolling motion during movement from the first location to the second location; and wherein the compression spring and the transmission system convert rotational movement of the pair of straps to axial movement.
 13. The wearable guard of the claim 11, wherein the first location represents a pulled out position of the protector, and the second location represents a pulled in position of the protector.
 14. The wearable guard of the claim 11, wherein the bottom section comprises a predefined weight to add a pull weight to keep the protector open devoid of any fold.
 15. The wearable guard of the claim 11, wherein the bottom section is configured to act as a stopper thereby preventing the middle padded section to be pulled in completely inside the sleeve while moving the middle padded section from the first location to the second location.
 16. The wearable guard of the claim 11, wherein the second pair of straps comprises one or more predefined sections of fastening means to affix the top handle section to the sleeve.
 17. The wearable guard of the claim 16, wherein the fastening means comprises at least one of a zipper, buttons, clasps, hook and loop type fasteners, buckle fasteners, and magnets.
 18. The wearable guard of the claim 11, wherein the protector is washable for removal of contamination and dirt.
 19. The wearable guard of the claim 11, wherein the protector is fabricated using from a subset of a set of materials comprising a self-disinfecting, water-resistant, anti-microbial, copper oxide, silver ion, zinc, vinyl, polyester, natural fibers, artificial fibers, and paper-based materials. 